Never Again be Their Family, in This Life or the Next

In the security office, Elvira sat alone across from me, his gaze fixed on me as if lost in thought.

Over here, the school security guard, the principal and even the teachers were gathered around me, fussing over me like I was fragile, afraid I might be hurt.

Was this... what it felt like to be favored?

"You can rest assured, Mr. Holmes. With us here, no one unimportant will bother you."

The principal shot Elvira several glances, his words caught in his throat. "Ms. Davis, what business do you have with Shawn? Do you know him personally?"

Elvira snorted coldly, slamming her bag onto the desk. "Of course, I know! Now get me out of here! Is this some kind of interrogation room?"

The principal wiped sweat from his brow and replied sternly, "Shawn is an outstanding graduate of our school and the top-ranked student admitted to the National Defense University in this city. We must ensure the child's safety."

"You'd better explain this clearly, or I'll report this to the National Defense University."

Elvira's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at me. "National Defense University? But you were going to study finance, weren't you?"

The principal frowned and cut her off, "Shawn worked tirelessly toward this one goal throughout high school. Where did this finance major suddenly come from?"

Realizing her outburst, Elvira sat down and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Someone like him, raised in an orphanage, got a university spot? He must have cheated, right?"

"Your school needs a thorough investigation. It seems anyone and everyone can get into university these days."

Although I had prepared myself for this, hearing my sister speak so disparagingly of me still made my heart feel as though it were being squeezed painfully by a tight fist

Just as I opened my mouth to respond, my teacher cut in impatiently, "What nonsense are you spouting? You're clearly here to stir trouble!"

"Who in this school doesn't know that Shawn was top of his class all three years of high school?"

"And what do you mean 'someone raised in an orphanage?’ Why are you still looking at people through tinted glasses at your age?"

The principal nodded in agreement beside her.

As the designated partner school for the orphanage, the principal not only waived our tuition and fees but also assigned dedicated teachers to look after us.

You could say they watched me grow up, step by step.

Elvira's words seemed to strike a nerve, even the security guard glared at her angrily. "You're not welcome at our school. You'd better leave now."

"If I catch you bothering Shawn again, I'll have the police give you a proper talk."

Watching Elvira's retreating figure, my eyes flickered with an unnamed emotion.

Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder. 

As I turned around, my teacher said, "Whether you bear the surname Holmes or Davis, you are still just yourself."

"If you ever run into trouble, my phone is on 24/7 for you."

The other teachers and principal nodded in agreement, signaling that I shouldn't hesitate to bother them.

It turned out they had all seen through it. They just chose not to ask.

I tried to hold back my tears, but two still fell onto the desk.

Everyone pretended not to notice, pushing me toward the countryard. "Your juniors are waiting for your speech. Go now."

I nodded and stepped onto the podium to deliver my speech.

Not far away, a familiar figure watched me intently, as if searching for any sign of weakness. 

But in the end, they failed.

Afterward, the teacher drove me back to the orphanage.

At the entrance, trucks were unloading various items. 

Curious, I walked over and found Elvira directing them to carry various daily necessities into the courtyard.